This article will briefly introduce the functions and features of NAS hard drives/servers, and explain how to filter the products according to your own needs; in the latter part of the article, we will also recommend several NAS hard drives for your reference and purchase, so let's take a look at what innovative designs are available!
Understanding NAS
The NAS hard disk, also known as Wi-Fi hard disk, wireless network hard disk, NAS in the name of the acronym "Network Attached Storage (Network Storage Server)". NAS drives can be connected to computers, tablets, cell phones, and other devices via Wi-Fi or other online means, making it easy for users to back up their data at any time.
NAS drives not only serve as backup drives for business data, but can also be used to save family photos, movies, and music, or to back up data on cell phones and tablets; some products even automatically back up data on computers while online, so important data can't be easily lost.
While in the past, NAS hard drives were mainly used by companies or public organizations, and were very expensive, there are now many reasonably priced, high-capacity home versions of these products on the market, so if you often feel that your cell phone or laptop doesn't have enough capacity, you might want to consider buying a NAS hard drive!
NAS hard disk / server purchase points
The use of NAS and the function of the initial understanding, let us look at the selection of such goods should be what kind of benchmark, and what need to pay attention to the point it!
Confirming whether the device contains a hard drive
This type of wireless storage device can actually be divided into two types according to the presence or absence of a hard drive, one is a NAS hard drive that comes with a hard drive, and the other is a NAS network storage server that requires an additional hard drive, and the difference between the two is explained in this paragraph.
NAS hard disk: simple initial setup, built-in storage space
NAS hard disk can be used without complicated setup, and the built-in hard disk so no need to buy additional storage space, so the overall cost will be more cost-effective than buying a network storage server. However, although NAS hard drives are relatively inexpensive, the internal hard drive and fan cannot be repaired or replaced when damaged, so they are not recommended for storing business data; they are better suited for backing up non-commercial data such as lifestyle photos, audio and video multimedia, and private documents.
NAS Network Storage Server: Freedom, High Functionality, Need to Purchase a Separate Hard Disk
The NAS Network Storage Server (hereinafter referred to as NAS server), as its name suggests, only contains the function of a network server without a built-in hard disk, so you need to select a separate hard disk and have to set up your own online content, which is a little bit more difficult to use than a NAS hard disk.
But NAS servers are rich in functionality and stability, and when an external hard drive or fan is damaged, it can be replaced with a new one; however, because there are more possibilities, it is difficult to appreciate the full advantages of NAS servers without sufficient knowledge of the related fields, making them less suitable for computer novices.
With the importance of the data to decide whether or not to carry the "RAID" function
The so-called "RAID" is the acronym for Redundant Array of Independent Disks, which is used to be referred to as "disk array" in Chinese, and it is a technology that manages multiple hard disks through algorithms. Since all the disks in the array will work together when reading and writing, the processing performance is more powerful than that of a single hard disk. RAID can be subdivided into several modes according to the way it is partitioned, and the following is a list of common modes:
RAID0
RAID0 combines the space of two or more hard disks into a single storage space, which is larger than the arrayed disks and allows for sustained high-performance operation, but once a disk is damaged, all the data will be lost.
RAID1
The hard drive storage space is independent, and the system automatically mirrors the same data on the other hard drives in the array; in other words, each hard drive has a full backup of its data. This means that if one of the hard disks fails, the other can still be used to retrieve data, which is highly secure.
RAID5
With at least 3 hard disks, RAID0 and RAID1, RAID5 is a great way to meet the needs of large capacity and small budgets while maintaining data security.
Because most RAID-enabled products are not cheap, we recommend that you choose a NAS product that matches the importance of your data; if your main purpose is to back up important business data and company files, RAID1 or RAID5 for high security is appropriate; if you want to increase read/write speed and storage capacity, RAID0 is fine.
Confirming the number of hard drives or hard drive capacity
When purchasing a NAS server, you need to pay attention to the number of hard drives that can be installed on the device, and the industry is accustomed to using the term "Bay" to indicate that 1Bay is 1, 2Bay is 2, and so on. The overall storage capacity will vary according to the parameters of the compatible hard disk, the number of installed hard disks, and the way the space is allocated.
As for the capacity of a NAS drive, it depends on the built-in hard drive, and most of the cheaper items will only come with 1 hard drive, so the overall capacity is generally smaller than that of a NAS server. However, some NAS drives are available in multi-drive configurations or with support for other external hard drives, so there are opportunities to expand storage capacity. If you're backing up a large amount of data, be sure to pay attention to this detail.
Preferring a model with multimedia support
While NAS can connect to computers, cell phones, tablets, and other devices, there are still some devices or file formats that can't be read or written to properly. Here's how to check the suitability of a NAS product to help you evaluate its merits.
With DLNA certification, transferring data is more convenient
DLNA (Digital Living network Alliance) is a consortium of consumer electronics, cell phone, and computer manufacturers that aims to create a set of industry standards that make it easy for devices to connect to each other, and is a key component of today's PCs, tablets, phones, game consoles, and other devices to connect to each other. It is the cornerstone of how computers, tablets, cell phones, game consoles, and other devices can connect to each other.
DLNA-enabled products can be connected wirelessly and wirelessly to a variety of DLNA-certified products. Although most electronic devices on the market today have DLNA capability, there are still many exceptions. Before purchasing a NAS-related device, be sure to check whether the device you want to connect to is DLNA-compliant so that you don't have to wait until afterward to find out that your device won't work.
Transmission of copyrighted content requires DTCP-IP or DTCP+
Nowadays, a lot of audio and video data or files are encrypted with DTCP-IP or DTCP+ protocols, and the transmission device needs to support these two types of encryption in order to transmit copyrighted data, such as self-recorded TV programs, music videos of singers or bands, and so on.
* Due to standard PC architecture, a certain amount of memory is reserved for system usage and therefore the actual memory size is less than the stated amount.
DTCP-IP support gives individuals the ability to open encrypted files at home, while DTCP+ support provides the ability to transmit copyrighted data over the Internet. In addition, there are electronic devices that can support both of these protocols, so please choose the parameters according to your needs.
Recognizing the characteristics of each brand
If you don't have a particular idea of what the parameters are, you might want to start with the brand! The following is a list of some of the more well-known brands, which will hopefully help you make your decision.
Buffalo for newbies
Buffalo's NASes are mostly of the hard drive variety, with simple, easy-to-use setup interfaces that are perfect for first-time NAS users. There are affordable low-cost models as well as high-capacity models, and most of them support multimedia interconnectivity, so there's a wide range of choices.
Synology, a leading NAS server company
Synology is recognized as a popular NAS brand in the industry. Synology is recognized as a popular brand in the NAS industry for its versatility and wide selection of products, and offers complete after-sales service in most regions so that consumers can enjoy the most complete protection. Since most of Synology's products do not include a hard drive, they are relatively inexpensive and highly stable, and are recommended for first-time NAS users.
Checking for after-sales service
When purchasing this type of computer interface, it is important to check for after-sales service. When selecting a product, please pay attention to whether there is a channel for contacting customer service on the package or manual, and whether there is a warranty period to ensure that the product can be properly handled in case of defects or accidental damage.
Additionally, since most NAS are foreign brands, it's important to note whether the NAS supports Chinese language before purchasing, so that you don't have to transfer files only to find out that they're garbled!
Recommended Top 10 NAS Hard Drives/Servers
Based on the above buying points, we compared the capacity, built-in protocols, and other parameters of the products on the market, and selected 10 NAS Hard Drives/NAS Servers to recommend to you, in the hope that it will help you find the ideal product to meet your needs.
10, big mouth disk PD800 wireless hard disk
Portable backup, a machine is enough
PD800 only 365g, compact size, replace the laptop to meet all your backup needs, to avoid data loss due to the loss of memory cards. Dual backups allow you to be prepared for any situation. Dual displays show real-time copying progress, with copying speeds up to 140M/S. Instant access to the mobile app, you can watch it whenever you want, wherever you are.
Big Mouth Disk has been committed to improving the security and convenience of users' data backup for years. Since the launch of PD600, the PD series has been well received by movie lovers. The launch of the big mouth disk PD800 has a more powerful backup performance, with the use of solid state drives, backup speed up to 140M / S, mechanical hard disk up to 110M / S.
9, Huarun asustor AS6404T 4-disk NAS
4Bay large capacity, composite and convenient system backup for more peace of mind
By the Huarun launched the
Auto Sync with Cloud
No manual interaction required to synchronize with cloud services.
Additionally, there are several other features that provide peace of mind, such as painless system migration, fast EZ Connect transfers, and maintenance hosting with Dr. ASUSTOR system health checks.
8. Extreme Space Private Cloud Z4
Super silent fan design, cooler and quieter
Equipped with the ZOS operating system, an APP can solve the complex operating functions of the NAS, and cell phones, computer clients, tablets, TVs, and web pages are all supported for access.
Polar connection function can be online through P2P, data center, and many other ways, without any additional configuration or third-party software, without the need to apply for an external IP. through a variety of protocols, also supports a variety of home smart devices.
7. QNAP TS-453Dmini
Equipped with PCIe expansion slot, snapshot system to help data recovery
The rear of the body is equipped with a PCIe expansion slot, adding more application potential; not only can you install the QNAP expansion card to add a new SSD cache and 10GbE network, but also to connect the microphone and the speaker's audio cable. It can also be connected to microphone and speaker cables for audio output or input, making it ideal for daisy-chaining with a TV for video playback.
6, TERRA MASTER F4-421
Enterprise-class backup for a large number of special, built-in anti-virus automatic scanning
Hardware has a powerful 4 bay hard disk drive slot, and support for two 10GbE port, to meet the needs of the enterprise large-scale storage, large-scale transmission. In terms of software, it not only uses Intel Pentium processor, but also comes with professional anti-virus software, which automatically scans every time a file is written and can block harmful files in real-time.
In addition, in addition to its own NAS functionality, Ironweaver also integrates with today's mainstream cloud platforms, so that as long as you put your data into a NAS folder, even if the hard drive isn't with you, you can access it remotely at any time through the aforementioned platforms.
5, love speed asustor asustor AS5202T
A new generation of dual-core processor, live backup good helper
asustor Hua Yun is a subsidiary of ASUS, specializing in the development of a variety of high-performance NAS goods. This NAS server is categorized as "Racing Reserve Cloud" series, featuring Intel Celeron J4005 ultra-high-performance processor, and the built-in 2GB RAM can be upgraded to 8GB on demand after purchase, with unmatched processing efficiency.
Along with the dual 2.5GbE network ports, it supports 5Gbps file transfer speeds. It can also be used to back up high-definition movies or live broadcasts from video sites in real time, making it especially suitable for gamers and hosts.
4, NEWQ intelligent mobile treasure wireless mobile hard disk K1 (messy, I think it is good to use, so put up)
SD card wireless transmission, a hand can grasp the mini size
If you just want to back up photos or data in the cell phone, this ultra-mini wireless mobile hard disk will be the most cost-effective choice. In addition to the $200 price tag, the entire drive is less than the size of the palm of your hand, which is comparable to a traditional portable hard drive, and can be carried around in a pocket or small bag.
Since the internal storage is on a microSD card, you'll need to buy additional memory, but the overall cost is still better than buying a regular NAS device, so we recommend it for those on a budget.
3, Western Digital (WD) My Passport Wireless SSD
Equipped with an SSD hard drive, read and write speeds of up to 390MB per second
In addition to carrying USB3.0 ports, there is also a built-in SSD to make read and write speeds faster, whether wired or wireless transmission can have a very good performance; connecting to the USB
Onboard Power and Reset buttons are accompanied by a LED Debug Display that puts users in the driving seat when experimenting with different hardware configurations.
Additionally, the casing has a reinforced protective design that cushions the impact from the outside and ensures that data is not damaged even if the drive is shaken, bumped, or dropped (within 1m) while in use, making it ideal for readers who engage in extreme sports and need to record video while on the move.
2, Synology DiskStation network storage server DS120j
Support for a number of protocols and browsers, full-featured home models
This NAS server for although you can use a hard disk, can support up to 16TB, more than enough for the average family. The software not only supports HTTP-related protocols, but also Network File System Protocol (NFS), iSCSI, and other protocols, allowing a variety of devices to be connected to the environment to choose the most appropriate storage and transmission methods.
In addition, this server supports all major browsers and is encoded in 20 languages, including Traditional Chinese, so you don't have to worry about files becoming garbled.
1, Western Digital (WD) My Passport Wireless Pro
Built-in SD3.0 card reader, 10 hours of long battery life
Specialized for location shooting, travel photography people to create a built-in SD 3.0 card reader, as long as the camera's memory card can be easily inserted, it can be a one-click copy of all the files, so you can easily back up in the outdoor can also easily backup. The battery capacity of 6400mAh can last up to 10 hours of continuous use, and the USB 3.0 parameters and reasonable price point make it a competitive item.
Additionally, you can upload image files from your hard drive directly to the Adobe-authorized Creative Cloud using the factory-developed My Cloud city, so you can turn your photos or images into artistic creations right from your tablet.
Summary
While NAS is still not that popular in the market, and the price is still expensive compared to traditional external hard drives, we believe that more competitive products will be created in the near future as modern people's reliance on electronics increases, so let's look forward to the future!
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